Report: Hassan Whiteside (calf) sitting out Heat practice

There's no reason ever to push an injury in training camp, especially once you've already gotten the NBA 2K16 rating you've been clamoring for, for the past year. And thus, Hassan Whiteside sits on the bench while his teammates get acquainted with each other.

Whiteside averaged 11.8 points and 10.0 rebounds per game this past season and stands to be one of the most important players on a team that legitimately could challenge to be at or near the top of the Eastern Conference. So, sit him as long as he needs when it doesn't matter and hope that calf warms up well enough for him to be ready for the Miami opener in a little less than a month. That seems like the only strategy.

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The team held Hassan Whiteside out of Friday morning’s practice with a strained right calf. He suffered the injury a week ago and has yet to practice.

Miami coach Erik Spoelstra downplayed the injury and said the team is being cautious to avoid making it worse. Whiteside is considered day-to-day.

“Patience is a virtue,” Chris Bosh said. “Us getting experience with him not out there, that’s OK. It’s a chance for him to use this time wisely to see where he can fit himself in. We want him healthy. I think we learned from last year there’s no reason to push through anything. We know he’s chomping at the bit to be out there, but we need him to be healthy. That’s the most important thing.”